Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Attend Settlement Talks in Harassment Lawsuit

The high-profile case has drawn in other celebrities and raised questions about power dynamics in Hollywood.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Actor Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni attended a six-hour settlement conference at a New York courthouse on Wednesday in an effort to resolve Lively's lawsuit alleging sexual harassment on the set of their 2024 film "It Ends With Us." The acrimonious yearlong litigation has cast a wide net across the entertainment world, drawing in other actors, musicians, and celebrities. The trial, scheduled for May 18, was expected to be star-studded, with potential witnesses including Taylor Swift, Gigi Hadid, Emily Blunt, and others.

Why it matters

This high-profile case has raised broader questions about power dynamics, gender issues, and the treatment of actors in the entertainment industry. The potential involvement of numerous other celebrities underscores the wide-ranging impact and implications of the lawsuit.

The details

Lively sued Baldoni and his production company, alleging harassment and a coordinated campaign to attack her reputation after she complained about his treatment of her on the movie set. Baldoni and his company countersued Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion, but that suit was dismissed last June.

  • The settlement talks took place on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.
  • The trial was scheduled for May 18, 2026.

The players

Blake Lively

An American actress who starred in the 2024 romantic drama "It Ends With Us" and is suing director Justin Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment on the set.

Justin Baldoni

An American director who directed the 2024 film "It Ends With Us" and is being sued by actress Blake Lively for alleged sexual harassment.

Ryan Reynolds

An American actor who is Blake Lively's husband and was accused of defamation and extortion in a countersuit filed by Baldoni, which was later dismissed.

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What’s next

The judge will decide whether the case will proceed to trial on May 18, 2026, or if the settlement talks were successful in resolving the dispute.

The takeaway

This high-profile case highlights the ongoing issues of power dynamics, gender-based harassment, and the treatment of actors in the entertainment industry. The potential involvement of numerous other celebrities underscores the wide-ranging impact and implications of such lawsuits.